PV cells and backsheet polyester films

ABSTRACT

Photovoltaic cells which comprise a back plane comprising a polyester film and an adhesive coating derived from an ethylene vinyl acetate copolymer and an oxazoline crosslinking agent and methods for forming the same are described.

This application is a National Phase filing of International Application No. PCT/GB2016/050685, filed 11 Mar. 2016, and claims priority benefit of GB Application No. 1504291.4, filed 13 Mar. 2015, the entirety of which applications is incorporated herein by reference for all purposes.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to photovoltaic (PV) cells, processes for the production thereof and polyester films useful in the production thereof. The polyester films are particularly suitable for use as back-planes in PV cells.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The advantageous mechanical properties, dimensional stability and optical properties of polyester films are well-known and are exploited in many areas of technology. Many adaptations of polyester films have been proposed in order to tailor the properties of a polyester film to a particular application. However, an adaptation which improves the performance of a polyester film in one respect may be detrimental to the performance of the film in another respect. For instance, a modification to improve the optical properties of a film may have a detrimental effect on the mechanical properties of the film. Accordingly, it is often difficult to obtain polyester films having a suitable combination of desirable properties.

In order to improve the performance of polyester films, it is known to provide multi-layer films having complementary properties so as to form a composite structure. In some cases, multi-layer films may comprise two or more films of the same type in order to improve the mechanical strength of the film or to intensify other functional properties of the film. Alternatively, multi-layer films may comprise two or more films of different types, thereby enabling the properties of the different polyester films to be realised simultaneously. For example, multi-layer polyester films have been used to improve the handling properties of functional polyester films by disposing one or more films having desirable functional properties onto a base film having desirable mechanical properties. Laminated polyester films may suitably be prepared by co-extrusion, coating or lamination techniques.

The mechanical properties, dimensional stability, flexibility, weight, impact resistance and optical properties of polyester films offer advantages for their use in the manufacture of electronic or opto-electronic devices, such as electroluminescent (EL) display devices (particularly organic light emitting display (OLED) devices), electrophoretic displays (e-paper), photovoltaic (PV) cells and semiconductor devices (such as organic field effect transistors, thin film transistors and integrated circuits generally). The use of flexible polyester film as layer(s) in electronic devices allows the manufacture of such devices in a reel-to-reel process, thereby reducing cost.

A photovoltaic cell generally comprises a front-plane (or front-sheet); a front-side encapsulant material; the photoactive material on an electrode support substrate; a rear-side encapsulant; a rear back-plane (or back-sheet); and various components to collect and manage the electrical charge. Polyester films have been proposed in the manufacture of various layers in PV cells, for instance the front-plane, the back-plane, the electrode support layer(s). Photovoltaic modules, often consisting of many photovoltaic cells, are usually categorized according to the active photovoltaic materials used. These include crystalline silicon, gallium-arsenide (GaAs), amorphous silicon (a-Si), cadmium-telluride (CdTe), copper-indium-gallium-(di)selenide (CIGS), dye-sensitized or organic cells. Photovoltaic cells containing gallium-arsenide, amorphous silicon, cadmium-telluride, copper-indium-gallium-(di)selenide, dye-sensitized or conductive organic material are often referred to as thin-film photovoltaic cells (TFPV cells), which may or may not be flexible. Dye-sensitised PV cells are of particular interest, in which the active light-absorbing layer comprises a dye which is excited by absorbing incident light. Other thin-film silicon PV cells include protocrystalline, nanocrystalline (nc-Si or nc-Si:H) and black silicon PV cells. Thin-film photovoltaic cells are made by depositing one or more thin layers of photovoltaic material on a substrate, the thickness range of a thin layer varying from 1 or 2 nanometers to tens of micrometer, using a variety of deposition methods and a variety of substrates.

The back-plane, in particular, must exhibit good thermal dimensional stability. This has typically been a significant problem for polymeric materials, which tend to exhibit poorer dimensional stability than optical-quality glass or quartz. In PV cells generally, poor dimensional stability of a polymeric layer can result in the cracking of the adjacent encapsulant material, and particularly during the elevated temperatures (typically 130 to 160° C.; typically for up to 30 minutes) and normally also low pressure experienced during manufacture of the device. For instance, prior art films have been observed to exhibit wrinkling and movement during the manufacture of a PV device.

The back-plane should also exhibit good UV-stability. Lack of UV-stability can manifest itself in a yellowing, hazing and cracking of the film on exposure to sunlight thereby decreasing the effective service lifetime of the PV cell.

The encapsulant material is a barrier material which protects the photoactive and electrode layers and provides high resistance to gas and solvent permeation. The encapsulating barrier material is typically utilised in the form of a self-supporting film or sheet, which is applied to the composite comprising photoactive and electrode layers using lamination techniques, typically under vacuum, as is known in the art. The encapsulated composite is then sandwiched between a front-plane and a back-plane.

A problem with prior art devices has been the need for one or more additional primer layer(s) or surface treatment(s) to improve adhesion between the back-plane and the encapsulant. In particular, it has been necessary to coat the back-plane with a first adhesive inter-layer and then a second adhesive layer, wherein the second adhesive layer is a material having high adhesion to the encapsulant of the PV cell or is the same material as the encapsulant. It would be desirable to dispense with both of these additional adhesive layers and the additional process steps required to apply them, in order to increase manufacturing efficiency and reduce costs. In addition, it would be desirable to improve the adhesion between the back-plane and the encapsulant, relative to the prior art devices, particularly by maintaining good adhesion over a long period of operation.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Therefore, it is an object of the present invention to dispense with the additional adhesive and primer layers used in existing manufacturing processes to incorporate polyester films as back-planes into PV cells by providing a polyester film suitable as a back-plane in PV cells which exhibits improved adhesion directly to encapsulant materials.

The present invention provides a photovoltaic cell comprising a transparent front plane, an opaque back plane and an encapsulant resin, wherein the back plane is a polyester film comprising a polyester film substrate (B) and an adhesive coating (A), wherein the adhesive coating is derived from a composition comprising an ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA) copolymer and an oxazoline crosslinking agent, wherein the encapsulant resin and polyester film are disposed in the photovoltaic cell such that the layer (A) is in contact with the encapsulant resin.

Advantageously, in the PV cell according to the present invention, the polyester film which forms the back-plane is adhered directly to the encapsulant resin without the need for an additional adhesive or primer layer. This is desirable because it reduces the number of manufacturing steps required in the production of the PV cell.

Therefore, in a further aspect, the present invention provides a method for producing a photovoltaic cell comprising a transparent front plane and an encapsulant resin comprising laminating a polyester film comprising a polyester film substrate (B) and an adhesive coating (A) directly to the encapsulant resin, wherein the polyester film forms an opaque back plane in the photovoltaic cell and the adhesive coating is derived from a composition comprising an ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA) copolymer and an oxazoline crosslinking agent.

By providing a polyester film which has been coated with a carefully selected adhesive composition, it is possible, advantageously, to adhere the polyester film directly to an encapsulant resin without the need for additional adhesive or primer layers. In this regard, in a further aspect, the present invention provides a polyester film comprising a polyester film substrate (B) and an adhesive coating (A) wherein the adhesive is derived from a composition comprising an ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA) copolymer and an oxazoline crosslinking agent.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Accordingly, the present inventors have unexpectedly found that by providing a base polyester film with a carefully selected adhesive coating, it is possible to adhere the polyester film, which is to form the back-plane in a photovoltaic cell, directly to an encapsulant resin without the need for additional adhesive and/or primer layers. They have found that, surprisingly, the bond which is formed between the adhesive coating and the polyester film and the adhesive coating and the encapsulant resin, respectively is sufficiently strong that excellent adhesion to both the polyester film and the encapsulant resin is retained even following prolonged exposure to moisture over an extended period of time, in particular under humid conditions and/or elevated temperatures. This is particularly advantageous in the field of PV cells which, in use, are liable to be subjected to such conditions. The fact that additional adhesives and/or primers are no longer required means that the manufacturing processes are simplified and can be economically optimised.

The polyester film substrate (B) is a self-supporting film or sheet by which is meant a film or sheet capable of independent existence in the absence of a supporting base. Preferably, the polyester film is a biaxially oriented polyester film.

The term polyester as used herein refers to a polyester or copolyester derived from one or more diols, one or more aromatic dicarboxylic acids and optionally one or more aliphatic dicarboxylic acids having the general formula C_(n)H_(2n)(CO₂H)₂, wherein n is from 0 to 8.

The polyester film substrate is preferably a polyethylene terephthalate (PET) film or a polyethylene-2,6-naphthalate (PEN) film, more preferably a polyethylene terephthalate film. The PET or PEN polyester may optionally comprise, as one or more comonomer(s), relatively minor amounts, preferably less than 20% by weight, less than 10% by weight or less than 5% by weight, of one or more residues derived from other dicarboxylic acids and/or diols. Other dicarboxylic acids include isophthalic acid, phthalic acid, 1,4-, 2,5-, or 2,7-naphthalenedicarboxylic acid, 4,4′-diphenyldicarboxylic acid, hexahydroterephthalic acid, 1,10-decanedicarboxylic acid and aliphatic dicarboxylic acids of the general formula C_(n)H_(2n)(COOH)₂ wherein n is 2 to 8, such as succinic acid, glutaric acid sebacic acid, adipic acid, azelaic acid, suberic acid or pimelic acid. Other diols include aliphatic and cycloaliphatic glycols, such as diethylene glycol, propylene glycol, dipropylene glycol, 1,3-propanediol, 1,4-butane diol and 1,4-cyclohexanedimethanol. Preferably the polyester contains only one dicarboxylic acid, i.e. terephthalic acid or 2,6-naphthalene dicarboxylic acid, preferably terephthalic acid. Preferably the polyester contains only one diol, i.e. ethylene glycol.

The intrinsic viscosity of the polyester is preferably at least about 0.60, preferably at least about 0.65, preferably at least about 0.70, preferably at least about 0.75, and preferably at least about 0.80. Preferably, the intrinsic viscosity of the polyester is not more than 0.85, preferably not more than 0.83. The use of polyesters with a relatively high intrinsic viscosity provides improved hydrolysis stability, although too high a viscosity can lead to difficulties in film manufacture and/or require specialised, more robust film-forming equipment. For instance, increasing the viscosity too greatly may mean that it is appropriate to reduce output (i.e. reduce the amount of PET extruded per unit time, which leads to a less economical process) or to increase the extrusion temperature in order to reduce the viscosity of the melt (which in turn can lead to thermal degradation of the polymer and the loss of associated properties) in order to achieve stable film production.

Formation of the polyester is conveniently effected in a known manner by condensation or ester interchange, generally at temperatures up to about 295° C. In a preferred embodiment, solid state polymerisation may be used to increase the intrinsic viscosity to the desired value, using conventional techniques well-known in the art, for instance using a fluidised bed such as a nitrogen fluidised bed or a vacuum fluidised bed using a rotary vacuum drier.

The polyester is the major component of the polyester film substrate, and makes up at least 50%, preferably at least 60%, more preferably at least 70%, and preferably at least 80% by weight of the total weight of the polyester film substrate. For example, the polyester may make up at least 85%, at least 90% or at least 95% by weight of the total weight of the polyester film substrate.

The polyester layer film substrate may further comprise any other additive conventionally employed in the manufacture of polyester films. Thus, additives such as UV absorbers, antioxidants, hydrolysis stabilisers, fillers, cross-linking agents, dyes, pigments, voiding agents, lubricants, radical scavengers, thermal stabilisers, flame retardants and inhibitors, anti-blocking agents, surface active agents, slip aids, gloss improvers, prodegradents, viscosity modifiers and dispersion stabilisers may be incorporated as appropriate. Such components may be introduced into the polymer in a conventional manner. For example, by mixing with the monomeric reactants from which the polyester is derived, or the components may be mixed with the polymer by tumble or dry blending or by compounding in an extruder, followed by cooling and, usually, comminution into granules or chips.

The polyester film substrate (B) preferably comprises a particulate filler material. Particulate fillers are useful to improve handling and windability properties of polyesters films during manufacture. In the context of the present invention, the particulate filler is used in the polyester film substrate (B) primarily to modulate its optical properties. The particulate filler is preferably a particulate inorganic filler, for example metal or metalloid oxides, such as alumina, titania, talc and silica (especially precipitated or diatomaceous silica and silica gels), calcined china clay and alkaline metal salts (such as the carbonates and sulphates of calcium and barium). The inorganic filler present should be finely-divided, and the volume distributed median particle diameter (equivalent spherical diameter corresponding to 50% of the volume of all the particles, read on the cumulative distribution curve relating volume % to the diameter of the particles—often referred to as the “D(v,0.5)” value) thereof is preferably in the range from 0.01 to 5 μm, more preferably 0.05 to 1.5 μm, and particularly 0.15 to 1.2 μm. Preferably at least 90%, more preferably at least 95% by volume of the inorganic filler particles are within the range of the volume distributed median particle diameter ±0.8 μm, and particularly ±0.5 μm. Particle size of the filler particles may be measured by electron microscope, coulter counter, sedimentation analysis and static or dynamic light scattering. Techniques based on laser light diffraction are preferred. The median particle size may be determined by plotting a cumulative distribution curve representing the percentage of particle volume below chosen particle sizes and measuring the 50th percentile.

The amount of particulate filler present in the polyester film substrate (B) is preferably in the range of from about 0.1 to about 30% by weight, preferably in the range of from about 0.3 to about 30% by weight, preferably in the range of from about 2.0 to about 25% by weight, based on the weight of polyester in the layer, preferably at least about 3% by weight, and preferably no more than about 20% by weight. The amount of particulate filler depends, inter alia, on the identity of filler. Thus, where the particulate filler is selected from BaSO₄, the filler is preferably present in an amount of from 10% to about 20%, preferably from about 15% to about 20% by weight, based on the weight of polyester in the layer. Where the particulate filler is selected from TiO₂, the filler is preferably present in an amount of from 0.3% to about 15%, preferably from about 0.5% to about 10% by weight, preferably from about 1% to about 8%, preferably from about 3% to about 7%, based on the weight of polyester in the layer.

Preferably, the particulate filler is used as an opacifying agent to increase the opacity of the polyester film substrate (B), such that the polyester film substrate (B) is opaque and preferably exhibits a Transmission Optical Density (TOD) of at least 0.3, preferably at least 0.4, preferably at least 0.5, preferably at least 0.6, preferably at least 0.7, preferably at least 1.0 and preferably at least 1.5, and in one embodiment preferably at least 2.0, preferably at least 3.0, and preferably at least 4.0. In some embodiments, the particulate filler is selected such that the polyester film substrate (B) is white, grey or black.

Preferably, the particulate filler is selected such that the polyester film substrate (B) is an opaque white layer. Films according to this embodiment of the invention preferably exhibit a TOD in the range of at least about 0.3, preferably at least about 0.4, preferably at least 0.5, preferably at least 0.6, preferably at least 0.7, and typically no more than about 1.75. Preferred particulate fillers having a whitening effect include particulate inorganic fillers, preferably titanium dioxide and/or barium sulphate, and preferably either titanium dioxide or barium sulphate, and these are preferably present in the amounts described hereinabove. A white film preferably exhibits a whiteness index, measured as herein described, in the range of from about 60 to about 120 units.

In an alternative embodiment, the particulate filler is selected such that the polyester film substrate (B) is an opaque grey or black layer. Films according to this embodiment of the invention typically exhibit a TOD of at least 2.0, more typically at least 3.0, more typically at least 4.0. Preferred particulate fillers having a darkening effect layer include carbon black and metallic fillers, such as aluminium powder. Carbon black is a preferred opacifying agent. In the case of a black or grey base layer (B), the amount of filler present in the polyester film substrate (B) is typically in the range of from about 0.3% to about 10% by weight, preferably 0.5% to 7% by weight, particularly 1% to 5% by weight, and especially 2% to 4% by weight, based on the weight of the polyester in the layer. The opacifying agent suitably has a mean particle diameter in the range from 0.01 to 1.5 μm, particularly 0.02 to 0.05 μm.

In a further embodiment, polyester film substrate (B) may comprise a combination of particulate fillers having and whitening effect with particulate fillers having a darkening effect. Suitable fillers are as described above, and the total amount of fillers in the polyester film substrate (B) is preferably in the range of from 1% to 30% by weight, preferably 2% to 20% by weight, based on the weight of polyester in the layer. Films according to this embodiment of the invention typically exhibit a TOD of at least 1.0, more preferably at least 2.0 and more preferably at least 3.0.

Alternatively or in addition to the inclusion of a particulate filler, preferably the polyester film substrate (B) comprises a hydrolysis stabiliser. The skilled person will be familiar with suitable hydrolysis stabilisers. In one embodiment, the hydrolysis stabiliser may be a glycidyl ester of a branched monocarboxylic acid, wherein the monocarboxylic acid has from 5 to 50 carbon atoms, and wherein said glycidyl ester is present in the form of its reaction product with at least some of the end groups of the polyester from which the polyester film substrate (B) is formed.

Suitable glycidyl esters are those derived from branched monocarboxylic acids having from 5 to 50 carbon atoms, preferably from 5 to 25 carbon atoms, preferably from 5 to 15 carbon atoms, preferably from 8 to 12 carbon atoms, preferably from 9 to 11 carbon atoms, and in one embodiment has 10 carbon atoms. The monocarboxylic acid is preferably saturated, i.e. the carbon-carbon bonds in the molecule are all single bonds. Particularly preferred branched monocarboxylic acids include those in which the carbon atom adjacent the carboxylic acid group (hereinafter referred to as the “α-carbon” atom) is a tertiary carbon atom, i.e. it is attached via three carbon-carbon single bonds to three carbon atoms other than the carbon atom of the carboxylic acid group, and each of said three carbon atoms may be part of an alkylene group or an alkyl group. The monocarboxylic acid is preferably a synthetic material, i.e. it is manufactured via organic synthesis comprising at least one synthetic step according to conventional procedures (see for instance WO-01/56966-A1), rather than a naturally occurring material (such as a fatty acid) which may require isolation from a naturally occurring substance.

The glycidyl esters may easily be manufactured by the known reaction of epichlorohydrin with the desired branched monocarboxylic acid. The reaction may be conducted using conventional acidic or basic catalysts, such as alkali metal carboxylates and quaternary ammonium halides, typically at elevated temperatures (temperatures in the range of 50 to 120° C. are typical).

Preferred glycidyl esters include those having the formula (I):

wherein: R¹ and R² are independently selected from alkyl, R³ is selected from hydrogen and alkyl, and preferably from alkyl; and wherein the total number of carbon atoms in the groups R¹, R² and R³ is from 3 to 48, preferably from 3 to 23, preferably from 3 to 13, preferably from 6 to 10, preferably from 7 to 9, and in one embodiment is 8.

In preferred embodiments, at least one of R¹ and R² is methyl. More preferably, R¹ is methyl and R² is an alkyl group comprising at least 2 carbon atoms.

In preferred embodiments, a mixture of glycidyl esters may be used in the polyester film substrate (B), wherein each of the glycidyl esters is independently selected according to formula (I), and preferably such that the total number of carbon atoms in the alkyl groups R¹, R² and R³ in each glycidyl ester of the mixture is the same.

In preferred embodiments, R¹ is methyl, and R² and R³ are independently selected from alkyl groups such that the total number of carbon atoms in R² and R³ is from 2 to 47, preferably from 2 to 22, preferably from 2 to 12, preferably from 5 to 9, preferably from 6 to 8, and in one embodiment the total number of carbon atoms in R² and R³ is 7. In further embodiments, a mixture of these preferred glycidyl esters is used, preferably such that the total number of carbon atoms in the alkyl groups R¹, R² and R³ in each component of the mixture is the same.

As used herein, the term “alkyl” preferably refers to an unsubstituted straight-chain acyclic hydrocarbon group of formula [—C_(n)H_(2n+1)].

The glycidyl esters described above include chiral compounds. Chiral glycidyl esters may be present as either enantiomer or as a mixture of enantiomers. Generally, any chiral glycidyl esters will be present as a racemic mixture.

The glycidyl ester or mixture of glycidyl esters used in the polyester film substrate (B) has a viscosity of less than 100 mPa·s, preferably less than 50 mPa·s, preferably less than 25 mPa·s at 20° C., measured according to ASTM D445.

Where present, the glycidyl esters used in the present invention react with the polyester at elevated temperatures, typically between about 160° C. and 300° C., and do so with rapid reaction times, typically much less than 1 second at 290° C. The reaction is a ring-opening addition of the carboxyl or hydroxyl end-groups of the polyester to the oxirane ring of the glycidyl ester and proceeds with zero elimination of by-products, both during manufacture of the modified polyester and during subsequent manufacture and use of the polyester film substrate (B).

The glycidyl ester component can be introduced at various stages during the film making process, namely:

-   -   1. By adding the glycidyl ester during manufacture of the         polyester film substrate (B) from its monomers. In this case,         the glycidyl ester is preferably added at the end of the         polymerisation process, immediately prior to extrusion of the         polyester into pellets. In one embodiment, the modified         polyester may then be further treated by solid state         polymerisation in order to increase the IV to a desired value.     -   2. By reacting the glycidyl ester with polyester pellets         off-line by melting the pellets, mixing the melt with the         additive, then re-extruding the modified polyester into pellets.     -   3. By adding the glycidyl ester (typically as a liquid) to the         polyester pellets prior to or during the introduction of the         polyester into the extruder used in the film-manufacturing         process (for instance by adding the glycidyl ester to the         polyester in the hopper of the extruder). The glycidyl ester and         the polyester react in the extruder as the mixture is extruded.         Preferably a twin-screw extruder is used.     -   4. By injecting the glycidyl ester (typically as a liquid) into         the molten polyester during the extrusion process (i.e. once the         polyester is in the molten state within the extruder, typically         a twin-screw extruder, and typically after the polyester has         passed through any devolatilisation zone) but prior to the         polyester being cast into a film.     -   5. By adding the glycidyl ester during manufacture of the         polyester from its monomers, wherein the polyester is extruded         directly into a film. The glycidyl ester is preferably added to         the polyester melt at the end of the polymerisation process,         immediately prior to extrusion of the polyester into a film.

The glycidyl ester is preferably introduced via one of routes (2) to (5) above, preferably via route (4) or (5). In one embodiment, a masterbatch is produced by adding an excess amount of glycidyl ester, relative to the amount desired in the final film, and this is of particular utility for route (2).

Surprisingly improved product performance is observed using process route (4), and in particular films manufactured by this route demonstrate improved hydrolysis stability, relative to films manufactured using masterbatch technology with route (2) above. It is believed that the relatively late addition of glycidyl ester to the polyester in the extrusion process minimises the increase of carboxyl end-groups caused by thermal degradation during film manufacture. In addition, the advantage of route (4) over the masterbatch route, for example, is that it allows greater use of reclaim film (i.e. waste film from the film manufacturing process, for instance, resulting from “edge-trimming” typically performed after the stenter stage in order to provide a film of uniform width). Reclaimed polyester typically has a lower intrinsic viscosity, and a higher concentration of carboxyl end-groups, than virgin polyester chip and the relatively late addition of the glycidyl ester allows the end-groups of both the virgin and reclaim polyester to be modified. The ability to use higher levels of reclaim while providing improved hydrolysis stability is a particular advantage of the present invention.

The direct extrusion process of route (5) is referred to herein as “coupled polymerisation-film production” or “close-coupled polymerisation-film production”. This process dispenses with the intermediate step of pelletisation, and is particularly advantageous. A close-coupled process may be operated with a static or dynamic mixing arrangement between polymerisation reactor and film die, wherein the mixing is effected after addition of the glycidyl ester. Static and dynamic mixing systems are conventional in the art. In a static mixing arrangement, the arrangement of non-moving elements continuously blends the materials as the melt-stream flows through the mixer. Suitable dynamic mixing systems include extruders or other Archimedean screw systems. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the close-coupled process is operated with a static mixing arrangement, and it has been surprisingly observed that sufficient mixing to achieve the benefits of the invention can be obtained with only a static mixing arrangement. It is surprising that a close-coupled process applied to this system is able to dispense with dynamic mixing without detriment to the final film properties. In the close-coupled process, an intervening solid state polymerisation step may be, and preferably is, avoided. The close-coupled process reduces the amount of water present in the polymer, thereby avoiding the need for a drying step prior to film formation, and also reducing side reactions between water and the glycidyl ester. The reduced water content allows the intervening solid state polymerisation step to be dispensed with, and allows the polyester film to tolerate a higher carboxyl end-group content without loss of hydrolytic stability. Thus, in this embodiment, the carboxyl end-group content is typically in the range of from about 15×10⁻⁶ to about 50×10⁻⁶ milliequivalents/g (meq/g), more typically from about 20×10⁻⁶ to about 40×10⁻⁶ meq/g, whereas a typical SSP process reduces the carboxyl end-group content to less than about 15×10⁻⁶ meq/g, and typically about 10×10⁻⁶ meq/g. Carboxyl content is determined by titration with sodium hydroxide after dissolution of the polymer in hot benzyl alcohol.

Where the polyester film substrate (B) comprises a glycidyl ester hydrolysis stabiliser as described above, preferably, it also further comprises at least one metal cation selected from the group consisting of Group I and Group II metal cations.

In particular, preferably, the reaction of the glycidyl ester with the polyester of the polyester film substrate (B) is carried out in the presence of at least one metal cation selected from the group consisting of Group I and Group II metal cations.

The metal cations are suitably present in an amount sufficient to catalyse the reaction between the hydrolysis stabiliser and at least some of the end-groups of the polyester of the polyester film substrate (B).

In a preferred embodiment, the amount of the metal cation present in the polyester film substrate (B) and/or present in the reaction mixture during the reaction of the hydrolysis stabiliser with the end-groups of the polyester of the polyester film substrate (B), is at least 10 ppm, preferably at least 15 ppm, at least 40 ppm, preferably at least 45 ppm, preferably at least 65 ppm, preferably at least 80 ppm, and preferably at least 100 ppm by weight, relative to the amount of polyester. Preferably, the amount of the metal cation is not more than about 1000 ppm, preferably not more than about 500 ppm, preferably not more than about 275 ppm, typically not more than about 200 ppm, and in one embodiment not more than about 150 ppm by weight, relative to the amount of polyester. Preferably, the amount of the metal cation is in the range from 45 ppm to 500 ppm, more preferably from 65 ppm to 275 ppm, more preferably from 100 ppm to 200 ppm by weight, relative to the amount of polyester.

As used herein, the terms “Group I” and “Group II” have their conventional chemical meaning and refer to the corresponding Groups in the periodic table. In a preferred embodiment, the metal cations are selected from Group I metal cations, preferably selected from sodium and potassium, and most preferably sodium.

The catalytic effect of the Group I or Group II cation is not dependent on the associated anion, and therefore any appropriate counter-ion may be used. In one embodiment, the anion may be selected from hydroxide, polyacrylate, hydrogen carbonate, carboxylate, chloride, acetate, formate and nitrate. In a preferred embodiment, the anion is selected from hydroxide or polyacrylate. Suitable polyacrylates include those having a molecular weight of from about 1,000 to about 10,000.

The metal cation(s) may be added to the polyester or its monomers prior to or simultaneously with, the addition of the glycidyl ester. Alternatively, the metal cation(s) may be added to the glycidyl ester prior to or simultaneously with the addition of said glycidyl ester to the polyester or its monomers. Preferably, the metal cation(s) are added to the polyester or its monomers, and preferably prior to the addition thereto of the glycidyl ester. In a preferred embodiment, the metal cations are added at the start of the polymerisation reaction to prepare the polyester of the polyester film substrate (B).

Alternatively or in addition, the polyester film substrate may comprise a UV stabiliser. Compounds suitable for use as UV-stabilisers have an extinction coefficient much higher than that of the polyester, such that most of the incident UV light is absorbed by the UV-stabiliser rather than by the polyester. The UV-stabiliser generally dissipates the absorbed energy as heat, thereby avoiding degradation of the polymer chain. Typically, the UV-stabiliser is an organic UV-stabiliser, and suitable examples include those disclosed in Encyclopaedia of Chemical Technology, Kirk-Othmer, Third Edition, John Wiley & Sons, Volume 23, Pages 615 to 627. Particular examples of UV-stabilisers include benzophenones, benzotriazoles (U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,684,679, 4,812,498 and 4,681,905), benzoxazinones (U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,446,262, 5,251,064 and 5,264,539) and triazines (U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,244,708, 3,843,371, 4,619,956, 5,288,778 and WO 94/05645). The UV-stabiliser may be incorporated into the polyester film substrate (B) according to one of the methods described herein. In one embodiment, the UV-stabiliser may be chemically incorporated in the polyester chain. EP-A-0006686, EP-A-0031202, EP-A-0031203 and EP-A-0076582, for example, describe the incorporation of a benzophenone into the polyester chain. The specific teaching of the aforementioned documents regarding UV-stabilisers is incorporated herein by reference. In a particularly preferred embodiment, improved UV-stability in the present invention is provided by triazines, more preferably hydroxyphenyltriazines, and particularly hydroxyphenyltriazine compounds of formula (II):

wherein R is hydrogen, C₁-C₁₈ alkyl, C₂-C₆ alkyl substituted by halogen or by C₁-C₁₂ alkoxy, or is benzyl and R⁴ and R⁵ are independently selected from hydrogen, alkyl, alkoxy or phenyl. R is preferably C₁-C₁₂ alkyl or benzyl, more preferably C₃-C₆ alkyl, and particularly hexyl. R⁴ and R⁵ are preferably hydrogen. An especially preferred UV-stabiliser is 2-(4,6-diphenyl-1,3,5-triazin-2-yl)-5-(hexyl)oxy-phenol, which is commercially available as Tinuvin™ 1577 from BASF, and which is a compound of formula (II) above, wherein R is C₆H₁₃ and R⁴ and R⁵ are both H. A further especially preferred UV-stabiliser is a 2-(2′-hydroxyphenyl)-4,6-diphenyl triazine which is commercially available as Tinuvin™ 1600 from BASF, and which is a triazine of formula (II) above, wherein R is CH₂CH(C₂H₅)C₄H₉, R⁴ is phenyl and R⁵ is hydrogen.

The amount of UV-stabiliser incorporated is preferably in the range from 0.1% to 10%, more preferably 0.1% to 5%, more preferably 0.1% to 1.5% by weight, relative to the total weight of the polyester film substrate. The amount of UV-stabiliser depends, inter alia, on the identity of the UV-stabiliser and on the identity of other components present in the layer, such as the identity of any particulate filler present in the layer, as described hereinbelow. Thus, a preferred range for the Tinuvin™ 1600 triazine is from about 0.1 to about 0.75% by weight, and a preferred range for the Tinuvin™ 1577 triazine is from about 0.5 to about 1.2% by weight, relative to the total weight of the layer. For embodiments in which TiO₂ (or other photoactive particulate filler) is present in the layer in the preferred amounts described hereinbelow then the amount of UV-stabiliser is preferably in the lower half of the afore-mentioned preferred ranges; and for embodiments in which BaSO₄ (or other non-photoactive particulate filler) is present in the layer in the preferred amounts described hereinbelow then the amount of UV-stabiliser is preferably present in an amount which is at least the mid-point of and preferably in the upper half of the afore-mentioned preferred ranges. Where a layer is described herein as containing no or substantially no UV-stabiliser, this means no or substantially no organic UV-stabiliser.

In one embodiment, the polyester film substrate (B) is a monolayer film.

In particular, in a first Embodiment E1, the polyester film substrate (B) comprises a single layer and so the polyester film is comprised of the polyester film substrate (B) and the adhesive coating (A). In this embodiment, the film is disposed in the photovoltaic cell such that adhesive coating (A) is disposed towards the encapsulant resin (i.e. towards the encapsulated photo-active layers) and the polyester film substrate (B) is disposed in the opposed direction and towards the exterior of the PV cell, preferably wherein the polyester film substrate (B) is the outermost layer of the PV cell. In this embodiment, polyester film substrate (B) preferably comprises a hydrolysis stabiliser and a UV-stabiliser and preferably also a particulate filler, as described hereinabove. The adhesive coating (A) may comprise a UV stabiliser and/or a particulate filler, as described hereinabove.

Alternatively, the polyester film substrate (B) may be a multilayer film. Where the polyester film substrate (B) is a multilayer film, it may be a coextruded film which is comprised of two or more coextruded layers. Preferably, the polyester of each coextruded layer is the same, in particular polyethylene terephthalate.

In a second Embodiment E2, wherein the polyester film substrate (B) is a multilayer film, the polyester film comprises said polyester film substrate (B) and said adhesive coating (A), and further comprises a polyester layer (C) which is disposed on polyester film substrate (B) on the opposite side thereof to the adhesive coating (A). In this embodiment, the film is disposed in the photovoltaic cell such that adhesive coating (A) is disposed towards the encapsulant resin (i.e. towards the encapsulated photo-active layers) and the layer (C) is disposed in the opposite direction and towards the exterior of the PV cell. In this embodiment, it is preferred that said polyester film substrate (B) comprises a hydrolysis stabiliser as described hereinabove. In this embodiment, said layer (C) preferably comprises a UV-stabiliser as described hereinabove, and optionally further comprises a hydrolysis stabiliser as described hereinabove. In this embodiment, it is preferred that at least one, and preferably only one, of layer (B) and layer (C) comprise particulate filler as an opacifying agent as described hereinabove for layer (B), i.e. preferably comprising from about 0.3 to about 30% by weight based on the weight of polyester in the layer, and with reference to the preferred particulate filler amounts and identities of layer (B). Where layer (B) of Embodiment E2 comprises particulate filler as described hereinabove, i.e. comprising from about 0.3 to about 30% by weight based on the weight of polyester in the layer, it is preferred that layer (C) is free of particulate filler or contains particulate filler only in minor amounts for the purpose of improving handling, preferably no more than 2.5% by weight, preferably no more than 2% by weight, preferably no more than 1% by weight, more preferably no more than 0.6% by weight, and in one embodiment no more than about 0.3% by weight, based on the weight of the polyester in the layer.

It will appreciated that the amounts and identities of the UV-stabiliser and hydrolysis stabiliser to be used in the respective layers of each of Embodiments E1 and E2 are those provided hereinabove in the detailed description of the UV-stabiliser and hydrolysis stabiliser additives.

The polyester layer (C) in Embodiment E2 may comprise a crystallisable polyester.

Where the polyester layer (C) comprises a crystallisable polyester, the polyester of layer (C) is preferably independently selected from those polyesters described hereinabove for the polyester film substrate (B), wherein the polyester of the layer (C) may be the same as or different to the polyester of polyester film substrate (B), and is preferably selected from polyethylene terephthalate or polyethylene naphthalate, preferably polyethylene terephthalate. The polyester resin of the polyester layer (C) is the major component of the layer, and makes up at least 50% by weight of the total weight of the layer, preferably at least 65%, preferably at least 80%, preferably at least 90%, more typically at least 95% by weight of the total weight of the layer. In this embodiment, the layer (C) is preferably the outermost layer of the PV cell. In this embodiment, said layer (C) preferably comprises a UV-stabiliser as described hereinabove and a hydrolysis stabiliser as described hereinabove. In this embodiment, said layer (C) preferably further comprises particulate filler as an opacifying agent in an amount of from about 0.3 to about 30% by weight based on the weight of polyester in the layer, as described hereinabove for the preferred particulate filler amounts and identities of polyester film substrate (B). In this embodiment, polyester film substrate layer (B) may comprise reclaimed film but otherwise no or substantially no particulate filler is added to layer (B) (wherein “substantially no” in this context means no more than 2.5% by weight, preferably no more than 2% by weight, preferably no more than 1% by weight, more preferably no more than 0.6% by weight, and preferably no more than about 0.3% by weight, based on the weight of the polyester in the layer).

In some embodiments, the polyester film substrate (B) may be comprised of up to about 35 wt % of reclaim (i.e. waste film from the film manufacturing process, for instance, resulting from “edge-trimming” typically performed after the stenter stage in order to provide a film of uniform width). In this case, the polyester film substrate (B) may comprise additives such as hydrolysis stabiliser, UV stabiliser and/or particulate filler as a consequence of the presence of the reclaim.

Formation of the polyester film may be effected by conventional extrusion techniques well-known in the art. In general terms the process comprises the step of extruding polyester compositions through a die, usually at a temperature within the range of from about 280° C. to about 300° C., followed by quenching the extrudate and orienting the quenched extrudate.

Orientation may be effected by any process known in the art for producing an oriented film, for example a tubular or flat film process. The polyester film which forms the polyester film substrate (B) in the present invention may be biaxially oriented. Biaxial orientation is effected by drawing in two mutually perpendicular directions in the plane of the film to achieve a satisfactory combination of mechanical and physical properties. In a tubular process, simultaneous biaxial orientation may be effected by extruding a thermoplastics polyester tube which is subsequently quenched, reheated and then expanded by internal gas pressure to induce transverse orientation, and withdrawn at a rate which will induce longitudinal orientation. In the preferred flat film process, the film-forming polyester is extruded through a slot die and rapidly quenched upon a chilled casting drum to ensure that the polyester is quenched to the amorphous state. Orientation is then effected by stretching the quenched extrudate in at least one direction at a temperature above the glass transition temperature (Tg) of the polyester. Sequential orientation may be effected by stretching a flat, quenched extrudate firstly in one direction, usually the longitudinal direction, i.e. the forward direction through the film stretching machine, and then in the transverse direction. Forward stretching of the extrudate is conveniently effected over a set of rotating rolls or between two pairs of nip rolls, transverse stretching then being effected in a stenter apparatus. Stretching is generally effected so that the dimension of the oriented film is from 2 to 5, more preferably 2.5 to 4.5 times its original dimension in the or each direction of stretching. Typically, stretching is effected at temperatures higher than the Tg of the polyester, preferably about 15° C. higher than the Tg. Greater draw ratios (for example, up to about 8 times) may be used if orientation in only one direction is required. It is not necessary to stretch equally in the machine and transverse directions although this is preferred if balanced properties are desired.

The stretched film may be, and preferably is, dimensionally stabilised by heat-setting under dimensional support at a temperature above the glass transition temperature of the polyester but below the melting temperature thereof, to induce the desired crystallisation of the polyester. The actual heat-setting temperature and time will vary depending on the composition of the film and its desired final thermal shrinkage but should not be selected so as to substantially degrade the toughness properties of the film such as tear resistance. During the heat-setting, a small amount of dimensional relaxation may be performed in the TD by a procedure known as “toe-in”. Toe-in can involve dimensional shrinkage of the order 2% to 4% but an analogous dimensional relaxation in the MD is difficult to achieve since low line tensions are required and film control and winding becomes problematic.

The film may be further stabilized through use of an in-line relaxation stage. Alternatively the relaxation treatment can be performed off-line. In this additional step, the film is heated at a temperature lower than that of the heat-setting stage, and with a much reduced MD and TD tension. The tension experienced by the film is a low tension and typically less than 5 kg/m, preferably less than 3.5 kg/m, more preferably in the range of from 1 kg/m to about 2.5 kg/m, and typically in the range of 1.5 kg/m to 2 kg/m of film width. For a relaxation process which controls the film speed, the reduction in film speed (and therefore the strain relaxation) is typically in the range 0% to 2.5%, preferably 0.5% to 2.0%. There is no increase in the transverse dimension of the film during the heat-stabilisation step. The temperature to be used for the heat stabilisation step can vary depending on the desired combination of properties from the final film, with a higher temperature giving better, i.e. lower, residual shrinkage properties. A temperature of 135° C. to 250° C. is generally desirable, preferably 150° C. to 230° C., more preferably 170° C. to 200° C. The duration of heating will depend on the temperature used but is typically in the range of 10 to 40 seconds, with a duration of 20 to 30 seconds being preferred. This heat stabilisation process can be carried out by a variety of methods, including flat and vertical configurations and either “off-line” as a separate process step or “in-line” as a continuation of the film manufacturing process. Film thus processed will exhibit a smaller thermal shrinkage than that produced in the absence of such post heat-setting relaxation.

The polyester film substrate (B) preferably has a thermal shrinkage after being held at a temperature of 150° C. for 30 minutes in the machine direction in the range from about 0.1% to 5%, preferably 0.3% to 1.5%. The polyester film substrate preferably has a thermal shrinkage after being held at a temperature of 150° C. for 30 minutes in the transverse direction in the range from 0% to about 5%, preferably 0.1% to 1.2%. In an alternative preferred embodiment, particularly wherein the polyester film substrate is a heat-stabilised film (as described herein), the thermal shrinkage of the film after being held at a temperature of 150° C. for 30 minutes is in the range from about 0.01% to 1%, preferably from 0.05% to 0.5% and more preferably no more than 0.10% in the machine direction, and preferably no more than 0.10% and more preferably no more than 0.05% in the transverse direction.

The thickness of the polyester film substrate (B) is preferably in the range of from about 5 μm to about 500 μm. Preferably the thickness is no more than about 250 μm, more preferably no more than about 150 μm, and most preferably no more than about 125 μm. Preferably the thickness is at least about 12 μm, more preferably at least about 15 μm, still more preferably at least about 20 μm, and most preferably at least about 25 μm.

The adhesive coating (A) is derived from a composition which comprises an ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA) copolymer and an oxazoline crosslinking agent. The composition may be an aqueous composition which comprises the EVA, the oxazoline crosslinking agent and water.

Suitable commercial sources of the EVA copolymer include the EVA copolymer dispersions which may be obtained from The Dow Chemical Company.

It will be appreciated that the EVA copolymer which forms a part of the adhesive coating (A) consists or consists essentially of ethylene monomer units and vinyl acetate monomer units. The term “consists essentially of” is used herein to refer to EVA copolymers which may contain up to about 5 wt %, preferably up to about 3 wt %, more preferably up to about 1 wt % of one or more monomers other than ethylene monomers and vinyl acetate monomers. Preferably there are low levels of free carboxyl moieties present in the EVA copolymer. An indication of the levels of free carboxyl moieties present in the EVA copolymer is provided by the acid number (in mg KOH/g), as determined by DIN EN ISO 2114, of the copolymer. In this regard, preferably the EVA copolymer has an acid number of about 5 mg KOH/g or less, preferably about 4 mg KOH/g or less, more preferably about 3 mg KOH/g or less.

The coating composition preferably has a solids content of at least 1% by weight, in one embodiment, at least 2% by weight, in one embodiment, at least 3% by weight, in one embodiment at least 5% by weight, in one embodiment, at least 10% by weight, in one embodiment at least 20% by weight, in one embodiment at least 30% by weight.

Preferably the composition from which the adhesive coating (A) is derived comprises at least about 5% by weight, preferably about 10% by weight, preferably about 15% by weight, preferably about 20% by weight, preferably about 30% by weight, preferably about 40% by weight of the ethylene vinyl acetate copolymer based on the total weight of EVA and crosslinking agent as determined prior to drying the adhesive composition. The EVA is preferably present in the composition from which the adhesive coating (A) is derived in an amount of less than 80% by weight, preferably less than 70% by weight of EVA based on the total weight of EVA and crosslinking agent as determined prior to drying the adhesive composition.

It will be appreciated that the EVA copolymer and the cross-linking agent together preferably make up at least about 85% by weight, preferably at least about 90% by weight, preferably at least about 93% by weight, preferably at least about 95% by weight of the solids content of the coating composition.

The adhesive coating (A) further comprises an oxazoline crosslinking agent.

The term “oxazoline” is used herein to describe a component which bears oxazoline reactive groups. Preferably the oxazoline crosslinking agent is a polymer with oxazoline groups. Suitable polymers may be formed by the addition polymerization of a) oxazoline derivatives according to the structural formulae (I) to (III) below and b) at least one further comonomer.

wherein R⁶, R⁷, R⁸ and R⁹ may each be independently selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, halogen, alkyl, aralkyl, phenyl or substituted phenyl; and R¹⁹ is a non-cyclic radical which contains a polymerizable double bond.

Examples of suitable halogens include fluorine, chlorine, bromine and iodine, preferably chlorine or bromine.

Examples of suitable alkyl groups include methyl, ethyl, n-propyl, isopropyl, n-butyl, isobutyl, pentyl and hexyl groups.

Examples of suitable aralkyl groups include those which comprise C₁₋₅ alkyl groups for example benzyl, phenethyl, benzhydryl and naphthylmethyl groups.

Examples of suitable substituted phenyl groups may include chlorophenyl, bromophenyl, methoxyphenyl, ethoxyphenyl, methylaminophenyl, ethylaminophenyl, dimethylaminophenyl, methylethylaminophenyl and diethylaminophenyl.

Examples of suitable non-cyclic radicals with polymerizable double bonds include vinyl and isopropenyl groups.

Thus, examples of suitable oxazoline derivatives a) include 2-vinyl-2-oxazoline, 2-vinyl-4-methyl-2-oxazoline, 2-vinyl-5-methyl-2-oxazoline, 2-isopropenyl-2-oxazoline, 2-isopropenyl-4-methyl-2-oxazoline and 2-isopropenyl-5-ethyl-2-oxazoline. Polymers bearing oxazoline groups may be prepared by using the oxazoline derivatives (a) either individually or in combination. Preferably, the oxazoline derivative (a) is 2-isopropenyl-2-oxazoline.

Any compound which is copolymerizable with oxazoline derivative (a) may be used as comonomer (b). Examples of suitable comonomers (b) include methacrylic esters such as methyl methacrylate, butyl methacrylate and 2-ethylhexyl methacrylate, unsaturated carboxylic acids such as methacrylic acid, itaconic acid and malonic acid, unsaturated nitriles such as methacrylonitrile, unsaturated amides such as methacrylamide and N-methylolmethacrylamide, vinyl esters such as vinyl acetate and vinyl propionate, vinyl ethers such as methyl vinyl ether, ethyl vinyl ether, alpha-olefins such as ethene, propene, halogenated alpha,beta-unsaturated compounds such as vinyl chloride, vinylidene chloride and vinyl fluoride, and also alpha,beta-unsaturated aromatic compounds such as styrene and alpha-methylstyrene. The comonomers (b) mentioned may be used either individually or in combination.

Suitable polymers containing oxazoline groups can be prepared, for example, by adding an oxazoline derivative (a), at least one comonomer (b) and a free-radical initiator, for example benzoyl peroxide or azoisobutyronitrile, to a suitable water-miscible organic solvent and heating the resulting solution. After the polymerization has ended, water can be added and the organic solvent can be removed completely or partially by distillation, to leave an aqueous polymer dispersion containing oxazoline groups, which is directly suitable for use in the adhesive coating of the present invention.

Alternatively, it is also possible to polymerize oxazoline derivative(s) (a) and comonomer(s) (b) anionically, for example with n-butyllithium.

The content of oxazoline groups in the dried polymer is typically 0.5 to 10 mmol/g, preferably 1.5 to 8 mmol/g. The glass transition temperature of the dried polymer is in the range between 0 and 100° C., preferably 20 to 95° C.

Suitable aqueous polymer dispersions containing oxazoline groups are commercially available under the name “EPOCROS®” from Nippon Shokubai (Japan).

Preferably the crosslinking agent which forms part of the composition from which the adhesive composition (A) of the present invention is derived is an aqueous polymer dispersion containing oxazoline groups, in particular one which is available under the trade name “EPOCROS® WS” available from Nippon Shokubai (Japan).

The oxazoline crosslinking agent is preferably present in the composition from which the adhesive coating (A) is derived in an amount in of at least 10% by weight, preferably at least 15% by weight, preferably at least 20% by weight, preferably at least 30% by weight of crosslinking agent based on the total weight of EVA and crosslinking agent as determined prior to drying the adhesive composition. The oxazoline crosslinking agent is preferably present in the composition from which the adhesive coating (A) is derived in an amount of less than 95% by weight, preferably less than 90% by weight, preferably less than 85% by weight, preferably less than 80% by weight of crosslinking agent based on the total weight of EVA and crosslinking agent as determined prior to drying the adhesive composition. In one embodiment, the composition from which the adhesive coating is derived comprises 10 to 80% by weight of EVA and 90 to 20% by weight of oxazoline crosslinking agent, preferably 20% to 70% by weight of EVA and 80% to 30% by weight of oxazoline crosslinking agent based on the total weight of EVA and crosslinking agent as determined prior to drying the adhesive composition.

In one embodiment, the dry mass ratio of EVA to crosslinking agent in the composition from which the adhesive coating (A) is derived is at least 1:1, preferably at least 2:1, preferably at least 3:1. Advantageously, it has been found that increasing the content of EVA relative to the content of crosslinking agent present in the adhesive composition improves the retention of adhesion of the coating even after prolonged exposure to elevated temperature and high humidity conditions.

The adhesive coating preferably has a dry thickness (i.e. the thickness of the adhesive coating in the finished film) of no more than 5.0 μm, preferably no more than 2.0 μm and more preferably no more than 1.5 μm. In further preferred embodiments, the coating may have a thickness of no more than 1.0 μm, no more than 0.8 μm or no more than 0.5 μm. Preferably, the adhesive coating has a thickness in the range from 0.03 to 0.5 μm.

The polyester film of the present invention may be manufactured by a method comprising:

-   -   (i) disposing an adhesive coating composition comprising an         ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA) copolymer and an oxazoline         crosslinking agent in a liquid vehicle onto a surface of a         polyester film substrate;     -   (ii) drying the adhesive coating composition; and     -   (iii) heating the dried adhesive coating composition to form a         cured adhesive coating.

The adhesive coating composition may be coated onto the polyester film substrate using any suitable coating technique, including gravure roll coating, reverse roll coating, dip coating, bead coating, extrusion-coating, melt-coating or electrostatic spray coating. Any coating step preferably avoids the use of organic solvent.

The coating composition is preferably applied at a wet-coat thickness to provide a dry thickness of no more than 5.0 μm, preferably no more than 2.0 μm and more preferably no more than 1.5 μm. In further preferred embodiments, the coating composition is applied at a dry thickness of no more than 1.0 μm, no more than 0.8 μm or no more than 0.5 μm. Preferably, the coating composition is applied to provide a dry thickness in the range from 0.03 to 0.5 μm. Within this range, the thickness of the coating is sufficient that excellent adhesion to the polyester substrate is observed and, when used as a back-plane in a PV cell, excellent and robust adhesion to an encapsulant resin is observed, even following prolonged exposure to moisture and/or humidity.

The coating composition is suitably dried in an oven at a temperature of from about 100° C. to about 150° C., preferably from about 120° C. to about 140° C.

The dried coating composition is suitably cured in an oven at a temperature of from about 150° C. to about 250° C., preferably about 190° C. to about 250° C., more preferably about 200° C. to about 230° C., and most preferably about 215° C. to about 230° C.

It will be appreciated that the drying and curing steps may be conducted separately and sequentially, or may be combined into a single heat-treatment comprising the appropriate heating profile.

In one embodiment, drying and curing of the coating composition are performed simultaneously at a temperature of from about 150° C. to about 250° C., preferably about 190° C. to about 250° C., more preferably about 200° C. to about 230° C., and most preferably about 215° C. to about 230° C.

The coating composition may be disposed on a surface of the polyester film in step (a) either “in-line” (i.e. wherein the coating step takes place during film manufacture and before, during or between any stretching operation(s) employed) or “off-line” (i.e. after film manufacture). Preferably, step (a) is conducted in-line.

Where the polyester substrate is biaxially oriented, preferably the adhesive coating composition is coated onto the substrate after it has been stretched in a first direction but before it is stretched in an orthogonal direction i.e. the adhesive coating composition is applied between the first and second stretching steps during the manufacture of the biaxially oriented polyester film. The stretching steps are performed as described above. In a particularly preferred embodiment, a flat, quenched polyester extrudate is stretched initially in the machine direction and the adhesive coating composition is then applied to the uniaxially stretched extrudate. The liquid vehicle (i.e. water in the case of an aqueous adhesive coating composition) is removed from the coating composition as the film enters the stenter oven and the film is then stretched in the transverse direction.

Stretching of the polyester film substrate in the transverse direction is preferably effected at a temperature above the Tg of the polyester, preferably about 15° C. higher than the Tg, but not at so high a temperature that rapid curing of the coating occurs before the stretching operation has been completed. In this regard, stretching of the polyester film substrate in the transverse direction is preferably effected at a temperature lower than the temperature at which crosslinking takes place.

Preferably, transverse stretching of the polyester film substrate takes place simultaneously with drying of the coating composition, and more preferably at a temperature of from about 100° C. to about 150° C., preferably from about 120° C. to about 140° C.

Heat-setting of the film preferably takes place simultaneously with curing of the coating, and more preferably at a temperature in the range of from 150° C. to 250° C., preferably 190° C. to 250° C., more preferably 200° C. to 230° C., and most preferably 215° C. to 230° C., and for a heating duration typically in the range of from 10 to 40 seconds, and preferably 20 to 30 seconds.

The exposed surface of the polyester film substrate may, if desired, be subjected to a chemical or physical surface-modifying treatment to improve the bond between the polyester surface and the coating. For example, the exposed surface of the substrate can be exposed to a high voltage electrical stress accompanied by corona discharge. Corona discharge may be effected in air at atmospheric pressure with conventional equipment using a high frequency, high voltage generator, preferably having a power output of from 1 to 20 kW at a potential of 1 to 100 kV. Discharge is conventionally accomplished by passing the film over a dielectric support roller at the discharge station at a linear speed preferably of 1.0 to 500 m per minute. The discharge electrodes may be positioned 0.1 to 10.0 mm from the moving film surface. Typically, however, no such surface-modifying treatment is effected, and the coating composition described above is coated directly onto the surface of the substrate.

The film of the present invention may be used in the manufacture of electronic or opto-electronic devices, such as electroluminescent (EL) display devices (particularly organic light emitting display (OLED) devices), electrophoretic displays (e-paper) and semiconductor devices (such as organic field effect transistors, thin film transistors and integrated circuits generally).

The films of the present invention are particularly suitable for use in PV cells, and particularly as, or as a layer present in, the back-plane of a PV cell. As noted above, a PV cell is a multilayer assembly typically comprising a front-plane, electrode and photovoltaic active layers, and a back-plane and further comprising a front-side encapsulant material and a rear-side encapsulant material. Therefore, according to a further aspect of the present invention, there is provided the use of a composition comprising an ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA) copolymer and a crosslinking agent selected from the group consisting of an oxazoline as an adhesive coating (A) in a polyester film which comprises a polyester film substrate (B) and the adhesive coating, for adhering the polyester film substrate of the film to an encapsulant resin.

A key advantage of the films described herein is that the films (and specifically the adhesive layer (A) of the films) exhibit surprisingly good and improved adhesion to the encapsulant materials used in PV cells, particularly ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA) copolymer resins, typically wherein the vinyl acetate component is in the range from about 28 to about 33 wt %. Suitable EVA encapsulating materials include commercially available Elvax® resins (DuPont, including grades PV1410 to PV1650Z).

Other encapsulant materials include ionomer-based materials, i.e. polymers made up primarily of non-polar repeat units with a minor proportion (typically no more than about 15 wt %) of salt-containing units. Typical ionomers include thermoplastic carboxylate ionomers wherein the non-polar comonomers are selected from ethylene and styrene (preferably ethylene), and containing a minor proportion of salt-containing units such as metal salts (for instance, alkali metal or zinc salts) of methacrylic acid and/or acrylic acid. Exemplary ionomeric encapsulant materials are the copolymers of ethylene and methacrylic acid and/or acrylic acid partially or completely neutralised with alkali metals or zinc, for instance Surlyn® (DuPont; for instance grade 1702). Other encapsulant materials include selected from polyvinylbutyral resins, also commercially available from DuPont (for instance the PV5200 series), and from silicone resins (for instance, Dow Corning's PV-6100 series of optically clear silicone encapsulants). Other encapsulant materials include polyolefins, such as homopolymers and copolymers of ethylene, for instance copolymers with acrylates and/or methacrylates such as methacrylic acid and/or acrylic acid.

The films of the present invention, specifically the adhesive layer (A) of said films, are adhered to the encapsulant resin by a lamination process. Accordingly, the present invention further provides a method for producing a photovoltaic cell comprising a transparent front plane and an encapsulant resin comprising laminating a polyester film comprising polyester film substrate (B) and an adhesive coating (A) directly to the encapsulant resin, wherein the polyester film forms an opaque back plane in the photovoltaic cell and the adhesive is derived from a composition comprising an ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA) copolymer and an oxazoline crosslinking agent.

The skilled person will be familiar with the conditions under which such a lamination process should be performed. For example, in one embodiment, the lamination process may be carried out at a temperature of about 150° C. and a pressure of 1.2 tonnes, in one embodiment, applied over an A4 area of the film, for a period of 20 minutes.

It has surprisingly been found that the particular adhesives selected according to the present invention provide excellent adhesion to encapsulant resins such as EVA. The adhesion strength between an encapsulant material (preferably EVA) and the layer (A) of the film described herein is such that the linear average load is at least 40 N/cm, measured as described herein.

Not only is the adhesion strong immediately after lamination to the EVA resin but it has also been found to remain strong even after exposure to a prolonged period in humid conditions at elevated temperatures. As used herein, the term “prolonged period in humid conditions at elevated temperatures” refers to the environmental conditions which the film experiences during use, for instance as a PV cell, and preferably as measured by an accelerated ageing test using the damp-heat test described herein (85° C. and 85% relative humidity over a period of at least 500 hours, preferably 1000 hours, in one embodiment 2000 hours).

The inventors have surprisingly found that, not only is the initial adhesion which is achieved using the adhesive compositions of the present invention stronger than that obtained for known adhesive compositions, such as an ethylene acrylic acid-containing adhesive, but it also shows a greater retention of adhesive strength following prolonged exposure to humid conditions at elevated temperatures as compared to these known adhesive coatings.

In this regard, the films of the present invention preferably exhibit an adhesion strength of the adhesive coating (A) of the film to an encapsulant material (preferably EVA) of at least 40N/cm (measured as the linear average load, as described herein) after accelerated ageing at 85° C. and 85% relative humidity for at least 500 hours.

In particular, the films of the present invention preferably exhibit an adhesion strength of the adhesive coating (A) of the film to an encapsulant material (preferably EVA) of at least 17N/cm, measured as the linear average load, preferably after accelerated ageing at 85° C. and 85% relative humidity for at least 1000 hours.

Furthermore, the films of the present invention preferably exhibit an adhesion strength of the adhesive layer (A) of the film to an encapsulant material of at least 12N/cm, measured as the linear average load, preferably after accelerated ageing at 85° C. and 85% relative humidity for at least 2000 hours.

The adhesion strength between the adhesive coating (A) of the film and the encapsulant material is at least about 25%, preferably at least about 40%, preferably at least 50% of the initial adhesion strength after accelerated ageing at 85° C. and 85% relative humidity for at least 500 hours, and preferably at least 1000 hours, in one embodiment, at least 2000 hours.

Property Measurement

The following analyses were used to characterize the films described herein:

-   (i) Clarity is evaluated by measuring total luminance transmission     (TLT) and haze (% of scattered transmitted visible light) through     the total thickness of the film using an M57D spherical hazemeter     (Diffusion Systems) according to the standard test method ASTM     D1003. -   (ii) Transmission Optical Density (TOD) is measured using a Macbeth     Densitometer TR 927 (obtained from Dent and Woods Ltd, Basingstoke,     UK) in transmission mode. -   (iii) Whiteness index is measured using a Colorgard System 2000,     Model/45 (manufactured by Pacific Scientific) and the principles of     ASTM D 313. -   (iv) Intrinsic viscosity (in units of dL/g) of the polyester and     polyester film is measured by solution viscometry in accordance with     ASTM D5225-98(2003) on a Viscotek™ Y-501C Relative Viscometer (see,     for instance, Hitchcock, Hammons & Yau in American Laboratory     (August 1994) “The dual-capillary method for modern-day viscometry”)     by using a 0.5% by weight solution of polyester in o-chlorophenol at     25° C. and using the Billmeyer single-point method to calculate     intrinsic viscosity:     η=0.25η_(red)+0.75(ln η_(rel))/c     -   wherein:     -   η=the intrinsic viscosity (in dL/g),     -   η_(rel)=the relative viscosity,     -   c=the concentration (in g/dL), &     -   η_(red)=reduced viscosity (in dL/g), which is equivalent to         (η_(rel)−1)/c (also expressed as η_(sp)/c where η_(sp) is the         specific viscosity). -   (v) Hydrolysis resistance may also be assessed by subjecting the     film to treatment at 85° C. and 85% relative humidity for up to 1000     hours (the “damp-heat test” (DHT)). The samples were placed in a     Binder Constant Climate Chamber (model KBF115 (E2)) set at the     aforementioned temperature and humidity for a fixed duration.     Properties relating to the aging of the polymer may then be measured     at various time intervals. In particular, the adhesion strength to     an encapsulant EVA layer may be measured, as described below. -   (vi) Adhesion strength of the film to an encapsulant barrier layer     (460 μm EVA sheet (Evasa Solarcap® FC100011E)) is assessed using a     180° peel test. The EVA sheet was sandwiched between two samples of     the film to be tested (such that the adhesive layer (A) of each film     sample was contacted with the EVA layer) and the assembly was     laminated together at a heat-seal temperature of 150° C. for 20     minutes in a press providing a pressure of 1.2 tonnes over the A4     area of the sheet. An A4 sheet of the laminate was cut lengthways     into strips (2.54 cm in width). The peel test was conducted using a     peel speed of 25.4 cm/min, a peel length of 83 mm and a jaw gap of     25 mm. Adhesion strength may be expressed either as the linear peak     load or linear average load. The adhesion strength of the film was     measured in one or both of the following ways:     -   (1) As the initial dry adhesion strength;     -   (2) As the adhesion strength after being subjected to the         “damp-heat test” treatment noted above.     -   The films of the present invention preferably exhibit a linear         average adhesion strength of at least 40 N/cm (23 lbf/in) in the         dry adhesion strength, and preferably also in the damp-heat         test. -   (vii) The polyester film is tested for weatherability according to     ISO 4892-2. -   (viii) Thermal shrinkage is assessed for film samples of dimensions     200 mm×10 mm which were cut in specific directions relative to the     machine and transverse directions of the film and marked for visual     measurement. The longer dimension of the sample (i.e. the 200 mm     dimension) corresponds to the film direction for which shrinkage is     being tested, i.e. for the assessment of shrinkage in the machine     direction, the 200 mm dimension of the test sample is oriented along     the machine direction of the film. After heating the specimen to the     predetermined temperature of 150° C. (by placing in a heated oven at     that temperature) and holding for an interval of 30 minutes, it was     cooled to room temperature and its dimensions re-measured manually.     The thermal shrinkage was calculated and expressed as a percentage     of the original length. -   (ix) Differential scanning calorimeter (DSC) scans are obtained     using a Perkin Elmer DSC 7 instrument. Polyester film samples     weighing 5 mg were encapsulated into a standard Perkin Elmer     aluminium DSC crucible. The film and crucible were pressed flat to     ensure that the film was partially constrained in order to minimise     effects of relaxation of orientation during heating. The specimen     was placed in the sample holder of the instrument and heated at     80° C. per minute from 30 to 300° C. to record the relevant trace. A     dry, inert purge gas (nitrogen) was used. The temperature and heat     flow axis of the DSC instrument were fully calibrated for the     experimental conditions, i.e. for the heating rate and gas flow     rate. The values for the peak temperatures, i.e. the endothermic     high temperature peak (A) and endothermic low temperature peak (B),     were taken as the maximum displacement above a baseline drawn from     the onset of each endothermic melting process to the end of each     endothermic melting process. Peak temperature measurements were     derived using standard analysis procedures within the Perkin Elmer     software. Precision and accuracy of the measurements was ±2° C. -   (x) The amount of hydrolysis stabiliser in the final film may be     measured by ¹H NMR (D2-1,1,2,2-tetrachloroethane as solvent;     GSX-Delta 400 instrument at 80° C.).

The invention is further illustrated by reference to the following examples. The examples are not intended to limit the scope of the invention as described above.

EXAMPLES

In the examples, coated films were prepared, laminated to an EVA encapsulant resin and the strength of the adhesion following prolonged exposure to moisture was assessed. The coatings used in each case are detailed in the specific examples.

Coated films were prepared as follows:

Polyethylene terephthalate was melt extruded, cast onto a cooled rotating drum and stretched in the direction of extrusion to approximately 3 times its original dimensions at a temperature of 150° C. Particulate filler (TiO₂, TR28, Huntsman Tioxide) was added (via a 60 wt % PETG-based masterbatch) to provide a final content of 4.5 wt % TiO₂ in the polyester film substrate (B). Hydrolysis stabiliser (Cardura® E10P) was added to the polyester film substrate (B) at a rate of 6.6 mL/kg during the film manufacturing process. An adhesive coating was prepared by adding an EVA copolymer dispersion to demineralised water, followed by the addition of an oxazoline crosslinking agent to the mixture. The mixture was then stirred for one minute prior to being applied as a coating to a surface of the polyester film substrate. The film was coated on its upper surface with an adhesive coating composition as defined in the examples in an amount sufficient to provide a final dry thickness as set out in the examples. The coated film was passed into a stenter oven at a temperature of 120° C. where the film was dried and stretched in the transverse direction to approximately 3 times its original dimensions. The biaxially stretched film was heat set at a temperature of about 200° C. with simultaneous curing of the coating. The final polyester substrate had a thickness of 150 μm and a dried adhesive coating thickness as set out in the examples below.

The coated film was then laminated to an EVA encapsulant resin at a temperature of 150° C. and a pressure of 1.2 Tonnes over an A4 area of the sheet for 20 minutes. The adhesion strengths of the films to the encapsulant resin were tested both initially and after prolonged exposure to moisture using the “damp heat test (DHT)”, the protocol for which is set out above.

Examples 1 to 6

Examples 1 to 6 were carried out in order to assess the effect that the relative proportions of ethylene vinyl acetate and crosslinking agent present in the adhesive composition used to form the adhesive coating (A) on the polyester film have on the adhesive strength of the bond formed between the adhesive coating and the encapsulant resin. The polyester film substrate was formed from polyethylene terephthalate having an IV of 0.79.

A number of adhesive compositions comprising the EVA and crosslinking agent but in different proportions were prepared as set out in Table 1. All of the coating compositions tested had a solids content of 3.5% by weight.

In these examples, Adcote 37 R 972 42 E, a water-based EVA copolymer resin available from The Dow Chemical Company was used as the EVA copolymer and EPOCROS® WS700 available from Nippon Shokubai, Japan was used as the oxazoline crosslinking agent.

The adhesive composition was applied to the polyester substrate in an amount to provide a dry adhesive coating thickness of 110 nm.

TABLE 1 Dry mass ratio of EVA copolymer:oxazoline Sample crosslinking agent Example 1 3.3 Example 2 2 Example 3 1 Example 4 0.5 Example 5 0.25 Example 6 0.1

After lamination to the encapsulant resin as described above, the dry adhesive strength was measured and the composite structure was subjected to the DHT. The results are presented in Table 2 below.

TABLE 2 Dry 100 hours DHT 500 hours DHT 1000 hours DHT 1500 hours DHT 2000 hours DHT Adhesion Adhesion Adhesion Adhesion Adhesion Adhesion Sample (N/cm) (N/cm) (N/cm) (N/cm) (N/cm) N/cm) Ex. 1 52.3 40.6 50.6 26.1 20.1 16.3 Ex. 2 48.7 48.0 51.5 27.8 24.0 14.2 Ex. 3 55.1 48.8 52.3 39.7 0 0 Ex. 4 48.5 48.5 49.7 39.0 0 0 Ex. 5 52.9 48.8 48.5 17.7 0 0 Ex. 6 42.7 47.1 52.9 14.2 0 0

The results obtained demonstrate that the adhesive coating of the present invention shows excellent adhesion to the encapsulant resin, wherein the initial dry adhesion is above 40 N/cm in all cases. Furthermore, as the relative proportion of EVA to crosslinking agent is increased, the long term adhesion is improved, even under conditions of high humidity at elevated temperatures. In particular, examples 1 and 2 show excellent adhesion following 2000 hours at high humidity at elevated temperatures.

Comparative Example 1 and 2

Coated films were prepared according to the procedure set out in Example 1 with the exception that an EAA copolymer (Adcote 50 C 35 E from The Dow Chemical Company) was used in place of the EVA copolymer. The proportions of EAA copolymer to oxazoline crosslinking agent used are set out in Table 3 below:

TABLE 3 Dry mass ratio of EAA copolymer:oxazoline Sample crosslinking agent Comp. Example 1 3.3 Comp. Example 2 1

After lamination to the encapsulant resin as described above, the dry adhesive strength was measured and the composite structure was subjected to the DHT. The results are presented in Table 4 below.

TABLE 4 Dry Adhesion 1000 hours DHT 2000 hours DHT Sample (N/cm) Adhesion Adhesion Comp. Ex. 1 42 Low adhesion - could Low adhesion - could be peeled easily by be peeled easily by hand. Quantitative hand. Quantitative value not obtained value not obtained Comp. Ex. 2 48.7 Low adhesion - could Low adhesion - could be peeled easily by be peeled easily by hand. Quantitative hand. Quantitative value not obtained value not obtained

A comparison of these results with those set out in Table 2 demonstrates clearly that improved adhesion is obtained where EVA is used in the adhesive composition in place of EAA. In particular, in comparing Comparative Example 1 with Example 1 and Comparative Example 2 with Example 3, respectively, it is clear that the initial dry adhesion achieved is higher where the adhesive coating contains EVA as compared to EAA. Furthermore, Examples 1 to 6 all showed a quantifiable (and reasonably high) degree of adhesion following 1000 hours DHT while for Comparative Examples 1 and 2, the adhesion at the time point was so low that the films could be peeled by hand and no quantitative limit could be determined. Similarly, several of the films coated with the EVA-containing coating exhibited good adhesion, even following 2000 hours DHT.

Examples 7 to 9

Coated films were prepared according to the procedure set out in Example 1 above with the exception that increasing levels of a plasticiser (Santiciser 261A, commercially available from Ferro, Belgium) were added to the composition from which the adhesive composition is derived as set out in Table 5 below.

The dry mass ratio of EVA to oxazoline crosslinking agent present in the adhesive coating was 3.3 in all cases.

TABLE 5 Content of Santiciser 261A present in the Sample adhesive composition (wt %) Example 7 0.005 Example 8 0.05 Example 9 0.5

After lamination to the encapsulant resin as described above, the dry adhesive strength was measured and the composite structure was subjected to the DHT. The results are presented in Table 6 below.

TABLE 6 Dry 100 hours DHT 500 hours DHT 1000 hours DHT 1500 hours DHT 2000 hours DHT Adhesion Adhesion Adhesion Adhesion Adhesion Adhesion Sample N/cm N/cm N/cm N/cm N/cm N/cm Example 7 44.6 37.2 39.9 31.3 21 15.2 Example 8 51.1 38.9 42.7 26.1 21.4 17.3 Example 9 48.8 41.3 44.6 25.9 28.5 18.9 Example 10 46.2 35.7 42.4 28.7 29.8 22.9

The results show that good adhesion is obtained following 1000 hours and 2000 hours DHT, even where a plasticizer is present.

Example 10

A coated film was prepared according to the procedure set out in Example 1 with the exception that the composition from which the adhesive coating is derived was stirred for 3 hours prior to application.

The dry ratio of EVA to oxazoline crosslinking agent present in the adhesive coating was 3.3.

After lamination to the encapsulant resin as described above, the dry adhesive strength was measured and the composite structure was subjected to the DHT. The results are presented in Table 6 above.

The results show that good adhesion following 1000 hours and 2000 hours DHT was obtained even following prolonged mixing which could be important from a manufacturing point of view i.e. these results demonstrate that there can be a delay between forming the adhesive coating composition and its application to the substrate without any detrimental effect on the long term adhesion observed.

Example 11

Coated films were prepared according to the procedure set out in Example 1 with the exception that the EVA copolymer used was Michem® Emulsion D791 (available from Michelman S.a.r.l, Luxemburg). In Comparative Examples 3A to 3D, Cymel® 385 (available from Allnex) which is a melamine resin, was used as the crosslinking agent. In Examples 11A to 11D, EPOCROS® WS700 available from Nippon Shokubai, Japan was used as the oxazoline crosslinking agent.

In both examples, the dry ratio of EVA to melamine crosslinking agent present in the adhesive coating was 1.

The coating compositions had a solids content of 3.5% by weight.

After lamination to the encapsulant resin as described above in Example 1, the dry adhesive strength was measured. In each case, four identical samples (A to D) were tested and the results are presented in Table 7 below.

TABLE 7 Sample Dry Adhesion (N/cm) Comparative Example 3A  3.1 Comparative Example 3B Hand peelable Comparative Example 3C  7.8 Comparative Example 3D Hand peelable Example 11A 25.6 Example 11B 31.5 Example 11C 30.8 Example 11D 29.5

The results show that better dry adhesion is obtained where an oxazoline crosslinking agent is used as compared to a melamine crosslinking agent. 

The invention claimed is:
 1. A photovoltaic cell comprising a transparent front plane, an opaque back plane and an encapsulant resin, wherein the opaque back plane is a coated polyester film comprising a polyester film substrate (B) and an adhesive coating (A), wherein the adhesive coating (A) is derived from an adhesive coating composition comprising an ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA) copolymer and an oxazoline crosslinking agent, wherein the encapsulant resin and coated polyester film are disposed in the photovoltaic cell such that the adhesive coating (A) is in direct contact with the encapsulant resin and is also in direct contact with the polyester film substrate (B), wherein the ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA) copolymer consists of ethylene monomer units and vinyl acetate monomer units, and wherein the dry mass ratio of ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA) copolymer to oxazoline crosslinking agent in the adhesive coating composition is from 0.5:1 to 3.3:1, and the EVA copolymer and the oxazoline crosslinking agent together make up at least about 90% by weight of the solids content of the adhesive coating composition.
 2. The photovoltaic cell according to claim 1, wherein the encapsulant resin is EVA copolymer.
 3. The photovoltaic cell according to claim 1, wherein the polyester film substrate (B) comprises PET.
 4. The photovoltaic cell according to claim 1, wherein the polyester film substrate (B) comprises a hydrolysis stabilizer.
 5. The photovoltaic cell according to claim 1, wherein the polyester film substrate (B) is biaxially oriented.
 6. The photovoltaic cell according to claim 1, wherein the polyester film substrate (B) is white.
 7. The photovoltaic cell according to claim 1, wherein the coated polyester film exhibits an adhesion strength of the adhesive coating (A) of the coated polyester film to the encapsulant resin of at least 40N/cm, measured as the linear average load.
 8. The photovoltaic cell according to claim 7, wherein when the coated polyester film exhibits the adhesion strength of at least 40N/cm, the coated polyester film further exhibits an adhesion strength of at least 40N/cm after accelerated ageing at 85° C. and 85% relative humidity for at least 500 hours.
 9. The photovoltaic cell according to claim 1, wherein the adhesion strength of the adhesive coating (A) of the coated polyester film to the encapsulant resin is at least 25% of the initial adhesion strength after accelerated ageing at 85° C. and 85% relative humidity for at least 500 hours.
 10. The photovoltaic cell according to claim 9, wherein the adhesion strength of the adhesive coating (A) of the coated polyester film to the encapsulant resin is at least 25% of the initial adhesion strength after accelerated ageing at 85° C. and 85% relative humidity for at least 1000 hours.
 11. The photovoltaic cell according to claim 1, wherein the coated polyester film exhibits an adhesion strength of the adhesive coating (A) of the coated polyester film to the encapsulant resin of at least 17N/cm, measured as the linear average load.
 12. The photovoltaic cell according to claim 11, wherein when the coated polyester film exhibits the adhesion strength of at least 17N/cm, the coated polyester film further exhibits an adhesion strength of at least 17 N/cm after accelerated ageing at 85° C. and 85% relative humidity for at least 1000 hours.
 13. The photovoltaic cell according to claim 1, wherein the coated polyester film exhibits an adhesion strength of the adhesive coating (A) of the coated polyester film to the encapsulant resin of at least 12N/cm, measured as the linear average load.
 14. The photovoltaic cell according to claim 13, wherein when the coated polyester film exhibits the adhesion strength of at least 12 N/cm, the coated polyester film further exhibits an adhesion strength of at least 12 N/cm after accelerated ageing at 85° C. and 85% relative humidity for at least 2000 hours.
 15. A method for producing a photovoltaic cell comprising a transparent front plane and an encapsulant resin, comprising laminating a coated polyester film comprising a polyester film substrate (B) and an adhesive coating (A) directly to the encapsulant resin, wherein the coated polyester film forms an opaque back plane in the photovoltaic cell and the adhesive coating (A) is derived from an adhesive coating composition comprising an ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA) copolymer and an oxazoline crosslinking agent, wherein the adhesive coating (A) is in direct contact with the polyester film substrate (B), wherein the ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA) copolymer consists of ethylene monomer units and vinyl acetate monomer units, and wherein the dry mass ratio of ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA) copolymer to oxazoline crosslinking agent in the adhesive coating composition is from 0.5:1 to 3.3:1, and the EVA copolymer and the oxazoline crosslinking agent together make up at least about 90% by weight of the solids content of the adhesive coating composition.
 16. The method according to claim 15, wherein the encapsulant resin is EVA copolymer.
 17. The method according to claim 15, wherein the polyester film substrate (B) comprises PET.
 18. The method according to claim 15, wherein the polyester film substrate (B) comprises a hydrolysis stabilizer.
 19. The method according to claim 15, wherein the polyester film substrate (B) is biaxially oriented.
 20. The method according to claim 15, wherein the polyester film substrate (B) is white.
 21. The method according to claim 15, wherein the coated polyester film exhibits an adhesion strength of the adhesive coating (A) of the coated polyester film to the encapsulant resin of at least 40N/cm, measured as the linear average load.
 22. The method according to claim 21, wherein when the coated polyester film exhibits the adhesion strength of at least 40N/cm, the coated polyester film further exhibits an adhesion strength of at least 40N/cm after accelerated ageing at 85° C. and 85% relative humidity for at least 500 hours.
 23. The method according to claim 15, wherein the adhesion strength of the adhesive coating (A) of the coated polyester film to the encapsulant resin is at least 25% of the initial adhesion strength after accelerated ageing at 85° C. and 85% relative humidity for at least 500 hours.
 24. The method according to claim 23, wherein the adhesion strength of the adhesive coating (A) of the coated polyester film to the encapsulant resin is at least 25% of the initial adhesion strength after accelerated ageing at 85° C. and 85% relative humidity for at least 1000 hours.
 25. The method according to claim 15, wherein the coated polyester film exhibits an adhesion strength of the adhesive coating (A) of the coated polyester film to the encapsulant resin of at least 17N/cm, measured as the linear average load.
 26. The method according to claim 25, wherein when the coated polyester film exhibits the adhesion strength of at least 17N/cm, the coated polyester film further exhibits an adhesion strength of at least 17 N/cm after accelerated ageing at 85° C. and 85% relative humidity for at least 1000 hours.
 27. The method according to claim 15, wherein the coated polyester film exhibits an adhesion strength of the adhesive coating (A) of the coated polyester film to the encapsulant resin of at least 12N/cm, measured as the linear average load.
 28. The method according to claim 27, wherein when the coated polyester film exhibits the adhesion strength of at least 12 N/cm, the coated polyester film further exhibits an adhesion strength of at least 12 N/cm after accelerated ageing at 85° C. and 85% relative humidity for at least 2000 hours.
 29. A coated polyester film comprising a polyester film substrate (B) and an adhesive coating (A) wherein the adhesive coating (A) is in direct contact with the polyester film substrate (B), and wherein the adhesive coating (A) is derived from an adhesive coating composition comprising an ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA) copolymer and an oxazoline crosslinking agent, wherein the ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA) copolymer consists of ethylene monomer units and vinyl acetate monomer units, and wherein the dry mass ratio of ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA) copolymer to oxazoline crosslinking agent in the adhesive coating composition is from 0.5:1 to 3.3:1, and the EVA copolymer and the oxazoline crosslinking agent together make up at least about 90% by weight of the solids content of the adhesive coating composition.
 30. The coated polyester film according to claim 29, wherein the ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA) copolymer has an acid number of about 5 mg KOH/g or less, as determined by DIN EN ISO
 2114. 31. The coated polyester film according to claim 29, wherein the EVA copolymer and the oxazoline crosslinking agent together make up at least about 93% by weight of the solids content of the adhesive coating composition.
 32. The coated polyester film according to claim 29, wherein the polyester film substrate (B) comprises PET.
 33. The coated polyester film according to claim 29, wherein the polyester film substrate (B) comprises a hydrolysis stabilizer.
 34. The coated polyester film according to claim 29, wherein the polyester film substrate (B) is biaxially oriented.
 35. The coated polyester film according to claim 29, wherein the polyester film substrate (B) is white.
 36. The coated polyester film according to claim 29, wherein the coated polyester film exhibits an adhesion strength of the adhesive coating (A) of the coated polyester film to a photovoltaic cell encapsulant material of at least 40N/cm, measured as the linear average load.
 37. The coated polyester film according to claim 36, wherein when the coated polyester film exhibits the adhesion strength of at least 40N/cm, the coated polyester film further exhibits an adhesion strength of at least 40N/cm after accelerated ageing at 85° C. and 85% relative humidity for at least 500 hours.
 38. The coated polyester film according to claim 29, wherein the adhesion strength of the adhesive coating (A) of the coated polyester film to a photovoltaic cell encapsulant material is at least 25% of the initial adhesion strength after accelerated ageing at 85° C. and 85% relative humidity for at least 500 hours.
 39. The coated polyester film according to claim 38, wherein the adhesion strength of the adhesive coating (A) of the coated polyester film to the photovoltaic cell encapsulant material is at least 25% of the initial adhesion strength after accelerated ageing at 85° C. and 85% relative humidity for at least 1000 hours.
 40. The coated polyester film according to claim 29, wherein the coated polyester film exhibits an adhesion strength of the adhesive coating (A) of the coated polyester film to a photovoltaic cell encapsulant material of at least 17N/cm, measured as the linear average load.
 41. The coated polyester film according to claim 40, wherein when the coated polyester film exhibits the adhesion strength of at least 17N/cm, the coated polyester film further exhibits an adhesion strength of at least 17 N/cm after accelerated ageing at 85° C. and 85% relative humidity for at least 1000 hours.
 42. The coated polyester film according to claim 29, wherein the coated polyester film exhibits an adhesion strength of the adhesive coating (A) of the coated polyester film to a photovoltaic cell encapsulant material of at least 12N/cm, measured as the linear average load.
 43. The coated polyester film according to claim 42, wherein when the coated polyester film exhibits the adhesion strength of at least 12 N/cm, the coated polyester film further exhibits an adhesion strength of at least 12 N/cm after accelerated ageing at 85° C. and 85% relative humidity for at least 2000 hours.
 44. A method for manufacturing a coated polyester film comprising: (i) disposing an adhesive coating composition comprising an ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA) copolymer and an oxazoline crosslinking agent in a liquid vehicle onto a surface of a polyester film substrate (B), such that the adhesive coating composition is in direct contact with the polyester film substrate (B), wherein the ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA) copolymer consists of ethylene monomer units and vinyl acetate monomer units, wherein the dry mass ratio of the ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA) copolymer to oxazoline crosslinking agent in the adhesive coating composition is from 0.5:1 to 3.3:1, and the EVA copolymer and the oxazoline crosslinking agent together make up at least about 90% by weight of the solids content of the adhesive coating composition; (ii) drying the adhesive coating composition; and (iii) heating the dried adhesive coating composition to form a cured adhesive coating (A).
 45. The method according to claim 44, wherein the polyester film substrate (B) has been stretched in one direction prior to coating with the adhesive coating composition.
 46. The method according to claim 45, wherein the polyester film substrate (B) has been stretched in the machine direction prior to coating with the adhesive coating composition.
 47. The method according to claim 44, comprising a further step of stretching the coated polyester film after step (ii) and before step (iii).
 48. The method according to claim 47, wherein said further step of stretching is in the transverse direction.
 49. The method according to claim 44, wherein the polyester film substrate (B) comprises PET.
 50. The method according to claim 44, wherein the polyester film substrate (B) comprises a hydrolysis stabilizer.
 51. The method according to claim 44, wherein the polyester film substrate (B) is biaxially oriented.
 52. The method according to claim 44, wherein the polyester film substrate (B) is white.
 53. The method according to claim 44, wherein the coated polyester film exhibits an adhesion strength of the cured adhesive coating (A) of the coated polyester film to a photovoltaic cell encapsulant material of at least 40N/cm, measured as the linear average load.
 54. The method according to claim 53, wherein when the coated polyester film exhibits the adhesion strength of at least 40N/cm, the coated polyester film further exhibits an adhesion strength of at least 40N/cm after accelerated ageing at 85° C. and 85% relative humidity for at least 500 hours.
 55. The method according to claim 44, wherein the adhesion strength of the cured adhesive coating (A) of the coated polyester film to a photovoltaic cell encapsulant material is at least 25% of the initial adhesion strength after accelerated ageing at 85° C. and 85% relative humidity for at least 500 hours.
 56. The method according to claim 55, wherein the adhesion strength of the cured adhesive coating (A) of the coated polyester film to the photovoltaic cell encapsulant material is at least 25% of the initial adhesion strength after accelerated ageing at 85° C. and 85% relative humidity for at least 1000 hours.
 57. The method according to claim 44, wherein the coated polyester film exhibits an adhesion strength of the cured adhesive coating (A) of the coated polyester film to a photovoltaic cell encapsulant material of at least 17N/cm, measured as the linear average load.
 58. The method according to claim 57, wherein when the coated polyester film exhibits the adhesion strength of at least 17N/cm, the coated polyester film further exhibits an adhesion strength of at least 17 N/cm after accelerated ageing at 85° C. and 85% relative humidity for at least 1000 hours.
 59. The method according to claim 44, wherein the coated polyester film exhibits an adhesion strength of the cured adhesive coating (A) of the coated polyester film to a photovoltaic cell encapsulant material of at least 12N/cm, measured as the linear average load.
 60. The method according to claim 59, wherein when the coated polyester film exhibits the adhesion strength of at least 12 N/cm, the coated polyester film further exhibits an adhesion strength of at least 12 N/cm after accelerated ageing at 85° C. and 85% relative humidity for at least 2000 hours. 